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Here’s the 2013 LestersLegends Starting Pitcher Rankings for NL-Only Leagues..1. Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
Kershaw was 14-9 with a 2.53 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP and 229 strikeouts. He’s one of the most dominating pitchers in all of baseball.. 2. Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals
Strasburg was forced to shut down last year, but he still managed to go 15-6 with a 3.16 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP and 197 strikeouts. The sky is the limit..3. Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies
The lefty turned in another strong performance going 17-6 with a 3.05 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP, and 216 strikeouts. His ERA has been below 3.40 in five of the past six seasons..4. Cliff Lee, Philadelphia Phillies
Lee was a hard luck case last year, winning just six games despite a 3.16 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP and 207 strikeouts. Luck should be more on his side..5. Matt Cain, San Francisco Giants
Speaking of hard luck, Cain was the poster boy prior to last year. Cain has a 3.27 lifetime ERA, but reached 15 wins for the first time. Cain went 16-5 with a 2.79 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP and 193 strikeouts..6. Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals
Wainwright was a solid 7-5 with a 3.28 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP in the second half last year. He recorded 184 strikeouts on the year. He’s two year removed from his Tommy John surgery. It should be all systems go..7. Roy Halladay, Philadelphia Phillies
Halladay was off his game (11-8, 4.49 ERA, 1.22 WHIP) and will turn 36 this year. He’s a slight risk given those factors, but his ERA was south of 2.80 in his previous four years..8. Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants
Bumgarner was 16-11 with a 3.37 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP and 191 strikeouts. His season basically mirrored his 2011 campaign. Look for another step forward for the youngster.. 9. Zack Greinke, Los Angeles Dodgers
Greinke went 15-5 with a 3.48 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP and 200 strikeouts. Dodger Stadium should serve him well.. 10. Johnny Cueto, Cincinnati Reds
Cueto was 19-9 with a 2.78 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP and 170 strikeouts. He’s been great the past couple of years. He just doesn’t deliver the strikeouts to be a top tier guy.. 11. Gio Gonzalez, Washington Nationals
Gonzalez was an impressive 21-8 with a 2.89 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP, and 207 strikeouts last year. He has a cloud of PED suspicion, which makes me a little nervous. Still he should remain at least a number one NL-Only fantasy starter.. 12. Kris Medlen, Atlanta Braves
Medlen was nearly untouchable last year going 10-1 with a 1.50 ERA, a 0.91 WHIP and 120 strikeouts in 138 innings..13. Mat Latos, Cincinnati Reds
Latos went 14-4 with a 3.48 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP and 185 strikeouts. He was 7-2 with a 2.84 ERA after the All-Star Break..14. Yovani Gallardo, Milwaukee Brewers
His WHIP (1.29 lifetime) keeps him out of the elite company, but he’s near the top of the next tier. Gallardo went 16-9 with a 3.66 ERA, a 1.30 WHIP and 204 strikeouts. It was his fourth straight year with 200 strikeouts. Plus, his ERA has always been below 3.90..15. Jordan Zimmermann, Washington Nationals
Zimmerman went 12-8 with a 2.94 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP and 153 strikeouts. He’s a second NL-Only fantasy starter..16. Ian Kennedy, Arizona Diamondbacks
Kennedy took a major step back last year, but still posted a solid 15-12 record with 187 strikeouts, a 4.02 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP..17. Mike Minor, Atlanta Braves
Minor figured things out and posted a 2.16 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP after the All-Star Break..18. Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants
The wheels fell off for Lincecum, who went 10-15 with a 5.18 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. He got his form back during the postseason, posting a 2.55 ERA and 0.79 WHIP in 17-2/3 innings. He’s a slight risk, but there is a strong chance that last year was a fluke..19. Daren Haren, Washington Nationals
Haren struggled last year going 12-13 with a 4.33 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. He’s much better than that and should bounce back in Washington.20. Matt Garza, Chicago Cubs
He’ll likely miss the first month of the season, but could be a nice boost when he returns. Garza should give you a solid amount of strikeouts to go with a decent ERA and WHIP. His win total will struggle being on the Cubs, but if he’s traded things could improve...
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Here’s the 2013 LestersLegends Starting Pitcher Rankings for AL-Only Leagues..1. Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers
Verlander wasn’t quite as dominant as he was in 2011, but it’s hard to be upset about a 17-8, 2.64 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 239 strikeout season.. 2. David Price, Tampa Bay Rays
Price went 20-5 with a 2.56 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP and 205 strikeouts..3. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
King Felix got paid, but I don’t expect him to rest on his laurels. He had a 3.06 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP and 223 strikeouts. He’s been brilliant over the past three seasons, but only has 40 wins to show for it..4. Jered Weaver, Los Angeles Angels
Weaver was 20-5 with a 2.81 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP. He only recorded 142 strikeouts, but had averaged 215.5 the previous two seasons..5. R.A. Dickey, Toronto Blue Jays
Dickey was amazing last year for the Mets going 20-6 with a 2.73 ERA, a 1.05 WHIP and 230 strikeouts. I’m a little afraid of what the move to Toronto will do to his numbers..6. Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers
Darvish went 16-9 and recorded 221 strikeouts, but his 3.90 ERA and 1.28 WHIP weren’t elite. He started and ended the season on fire. In his second season in the Majors, Darvish should have more consistency..7. Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox
Sale was 17-8 with a 3.05 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP and 192 strikeouts. He had a 2.30 ERA at home last year. I’m afraid he’ll regress there, but he should still be a quality number two fantasy starter..8. C.C. Sabathia, New York Yankees
The Yankees don’t appear to be quite the powerhouse that they’ve been in the past as age seems to be catching up with them. Sabathia is trying to come back from an elbow injury, but he’s a workhorse..9. Max Scherzer, Detroit Tigers
Scherzer went 16-7 with a 3.74 ERA, a 1.27 WHIP and 231 strikeouts. He could easily finish among the top 15-20 fantasy pitchers..10.Matt Moore, Tampa Bay Rays
Moore took a little time to adjust to big league bats, but judging by his second half, which saw him post a 3.01 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP, he should be in good shape in his second year..11. James Shields, Kansas City Royals
Shields went 15-10 with a 3.52 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP and 223 strikeouts. Moving to Kansas City could hinder his win total, but he should continue to produce in the other categories..12. Jon Lester, Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox have been in a bad place the past two years, and Lester has struggled with it. Particularly last year, when he went 9-14 with a 4.82 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. He should return to form..13. Brandon Morrow, Toronto Blue Jays
Morrow sported a 2.96 ERA and 1.11 WHIP last year, but was only able to throw 124-2/3 innings thanks to a oblique injury. He is an injury risk, but is a quality option when healthy..14. Josh Johnson, Toronto Blue Jays
Johnson has the ability, but he is oft-injured. Plus his move to Toronto isn’t good for his value. He’s a high risk option that doesn’t quite have the reward we’re used to..15. Jake Peavy, Chicago White Sox
Peavy went 11-12 last year, but managed a 3.37 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP and 194 strikeouts. He has been able to stay healthy for over a year, but that risk is always there..16. C.J. Wilson, Los Angeles Angels
Wilson was a solid 13-10 last year with a 3.83 ERA, a 1.34 WHIP and 173 strikeouts. A rough August featuring a 7.99 ERA threw his numbers out of whack. He should be better in 2013..17. Doug Fister, Detroit Tigers
Fister was 10-10, but managed a solid 3.45 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. He’s not going to rack up the strikeouts, but he’s solid in the other three starting pitcher 5×5 categories..18. Hiroki Kuroda, New York Yankees
Kuroda went 16-11 with a 3.32 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP and 167 strikeouts. He’s been extremely consistent throughout his big-league career. The only knock is his age (38), but he hasn’t shown signs of a decline..19. Jarrod Parker, Oakland A’s
Parker went 13-8 with a 3.47 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. He was 6-5 at home with a 2.61 ERA..20. Brett Anderson, Oakland A’s
Anderson has the goods, 2.57 ERA and 1.03 in six starts last year, but his health is always an issue. The reward potential is there if you can stomach the risk...
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We already looked at the LestersLegends’ top 20 fantasy baseball starting pitchers for 2013, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t additional options if you choose to wait on filling your rotation to address other positions..Yovani Gallardo, Milwaukee Brewers
His WHIP (1.29 lifetime) keeps him out of the elite company, but he’s near the top of the next tier. Gallardo went 16-9 with a 3.66 ERA, a 1.30 WHIP and 204 strikeouts. It was his fourth straight year with 200 strikeouts. Plus, his ERA has always been below 3.90.. Matt Garza, Chicago Cubs
Garza should give you a solid amount of strikeouts to go with a decent ERA and WHIP. His win total will struggle being on the Cubs, but if he’s traded things could improve.. Daren Haren, Washington Nationals
Haren struggled last year going 12-13 with a 4.33 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. He’s much better than that and should bounce back in Washington.. Josh Johnson, Toronto Blue Jays
Johnson has the ability, but he is oft-injured. Plus his move to Toronto isn’t good for his value. He’s a high risk option that doesn’t quite have the reward we’re used to.. Ian Kennedy, Arizona Diamondbacks
Kennedy took a major step back last year, but still posted a solid 15-12 record with 187 strikeouts, a 4.02 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. He’s a solid third option for fantasy rotations.. Mat Latos, Cincinnati Reds
Latos went 14-4 with a 3.48 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP and 185 strikeouts. He was 7-2 with a 2.84 ERA after the All-Star Break. He could easily be among the top 15 starters.. Jon Lester, Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox have been in a bad place the past two years, and Lester has struggled with it. Particularly last year, when he went 9-14 with a 4.82 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP.. Matt Moore, Tampa Bay Rays
Moore took a little time to adjust to big league bats, but judging by his second half, which saw him post a 3.01 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP, he should be in good shape in his second year.. Brandon Morrow, Toronto Blue Jays
Morrow sported a 2.96 ERA and 1.11 WHIP last year, but was only able to throw 124-2/3 innings thanks to a oblique injury. He is an injury risk, but is a quality option when healthy.. Max Scherzer, Detroit Tigers
Scherzer went 16-7 with a 3.74 ERA, a 1.27 WHIP and 231 strikeouts. He could easily finish among the top 15-20 fantasy pitchers.. James Shields, Kansas City Royals
Shields went 15-10 with a 3.52 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP and 223 strikeouts. Moving to Kansas City could hinder his win total, but he should continue to produce in the other categories.. Jordan Zimmermann, Washington Nationals
Zimmerman went 12-8 with a 2.94 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP and 153 strikeouts. He’s a solid third fantasy starter...
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Here are the 2013 Lester’s Legends fantasy baseball starting pitcher rankings..1. Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers
Verlander wasn’t quite as dominant as he was in 2011, but it’s hard to be upset about a 17-8, 2.64 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 239 strikeout season.. 2. Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
Kershaw also took a slight step back, but like Verlander it was because he set the bar so high. Kershaw was 14-9 with a 2.53 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP and 229 strikeouts.. 3. Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals
Strasburg was forced to shut down last year, but he still managed to go 15-6 with a 3.16 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP and 197 strikeouts. The sky is the limit.. 4. David Price, Tampa Bay Rays
Price went 20-5 with a 2.56 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP and 205 strikeouts.. 5. Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies
The lefty turned in another strong performance going 17-6 with a 3.05 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP, and 216 strikeouts. His ERA has been below 3.40 in five of the past six seasons.. 6. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
King Felix got paid, but I don’t expect him to rest on his laurels. He had a 3.06 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP and 223 strikeouts. He’s been brilliant over the past three seasons, but only has 40 wins to show for it.. 7. Cliff Lee, Philadelphia Phillies
Lee was a hard luck case last year, winning just six games despite a 3.16 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP and 207 strikeouts. Luck should be more on his side.. 8. Matt Cain, San Francisco Giants
Speaking of hard luck, Cain was the poster boy prior to last year. Cain has a 3.27 lifetime ERA, but reached 15 wins for the first time. Cain went 16-5 with a 2.79 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP and 193 strikeouts.. 9. Jered Weaver, Los Angeles Angels
Weaver was 20-5 with a 2.81 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP. He only recorded 142 strikeouts, but had averaged 215.5 the previous two seasons.. 10. Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals
Wainwright was a solid 7-5 with a 3.28 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP in the second half last year. He recorded 184 strikeouts on the year. He’s two year removed from his Tommy John surgery. It should be all systems go.. 11. Roy Halladay, Philadelphia Phillies
Halladay was off his game (11-8, 4.49 ERA, 1.22 WHIP) and will turn 36 this year. He’s a slight risk given those factors, but his ERA was south of 2.80 in his previous four years.. 12. Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants
Bumgarner was 16-11 with a 3.37 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP and 191 strikeouts. His season basically mirrored his 2011 campaign. Look for another step forward for the youngster.. 13. Zack Greinke, Los Angeles Dodgers
Greinke went 15-5 with a 3.48 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP and 200 strikeouts. Dodger Stadium should serve him well.. 14. Johnny Cueto, Cincinnati Reds
Cueto was 19-9 with a 2.78 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP and 170 strikeouts. He’s been great the past couple of years. He just doesn’t deliver the strikeouts to be a top tier guy.. 15. Gio Gonzalez, Washington Nationals
Gonzalez was an impressive 21-8 with a 2.89 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP, and 207 strikeouts last year. He has a cloud of PED suspicion, which makes me a little nervous. Still he should remain at least a number two fantasy starter.. 16. R.A. Dickey, Toronto Blue Jays
Dickey was amazing last year for the Mets going 20-6 with a 2.73 ERA, a 1.05 WHIP and 230 strikeouts. I’m a little afraid of what the move to Toronto will do to his numbers.. 17. Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers
Darvish went 16-9 and recorded 221 strikeouts, but his 3.90 ERA and 1.28 WHIP weren’t elite. He started and ended the season on fire. In his second season in the Majors, Darvish should have more consistency.. 18. Kris Medlen, Atlanta Braves
Medlen was nearly untouchable last year going 10-1 with a 1.50 ERA, a 0.91 WHIP and 120 strikeouts in 138 innings.. 19. Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox
Sale was 17-8 with a 3.05 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP and 192 strikeouts. He had a 2.30 ERA at home last year. I’m afraid he’ll regress there, but he should still be a quality number two fantasy starter.. 20. C.C. Sabathia, New York Yankees
The Yankees don’t appear to be quite the powerhouse that they’ve been in the past as age seems to be catching up with them. Sabathia is trying to come back from an elbow injury, but he’s a workhorse...
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